The Manila-based City of Dreams casino-resort is a joint venture of Melco Crown and local leisure firm Belle Corp . The Nobu hotel will be one of three in the complex, which aims to open by the middle of the year and will also feature the largest nightclub in the city and a Hollywood-style theme park.

"This is a bet on the Philippines and it is a bet on China," Mr James Packer, Melco Crown's director, told reporters during a launch ceremony attended by celebrity Chef Nobuyuki "Nobu"Matsuhisa and his partner in the hotel group, Hollywood film star Robert De Niro.

"We really need it to work for the people of Manila and to also be an attraction that is good enough to get the Chinese market to come here and have fun," he said.